EDITORIAL: Time to build case for backing transit

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For years, Southeast Michigan civic and business leaders have sought the holy grail: a quality, regional public transit system that competes for "riders of choice" as well as "riders of necessity." Such a system would reduce peak freeway congestion as well as be attractive to young talent who prefer public transit to personal vehicles.

State law has created a Regional Transit Authority. Now we have to fund it. A local alliance of ministers and community leaders hopes to pull together a coalition to help propel that effort. (See story, Page 25.)

In that respect, Grand Rapids is ahead of the game. As Matthew Gryczan reports on Page 17, that city's regional transit system will launch a rapid-bus transit line in August along that region's equivalent of Woodward Avenue. Business leaders — and voters — backed the expansion. Businesses are expanding and renovating to accommodate additional traffic anticipated on the corridor.

Transit-linked investment is also anticipated in Detroit along the 3.3-mile streetcar loop known as M-1 Rail. Business and philanthropy led the charge on M-1 Rail, which should start running by 2016. That's also the year region voters could be asked to approve a millage for expanded transit, including routes similar to the rapid-bus Silver Line in Grand Rapids.

Building the case for public support will take a lot of effort, from grass roots through top civic and business leadership.

Now is the time for business owners, employers and leaders to start planning. The June 4 summit can be a good start. For more information, go to mccmichigan.org.